You might be too young to remember him.
But if you followed the news back in the mid-nineties, his name should ring a bell.
Because in 1996, Indonesian businessman James Riady got a lot of press for his role in a campaign finance scandal involving the Clinton Administration.
Twenty years later, a lot has
changed for Mr. Riady.
Today, his main interest is in theology and building God's kingdom -- not politics.
And thanks to his efforts, the gospel is making inroads in the world's largest Muslim country.
Most of Mr. Riady's attention these days is on the Christian University he founded... which has over 16,000 students... and teaches a
distinctly Reformed worldview.
Beyond this, Riady stays occupied with a number of business interests, including 30 hospitals, 64 malls, 125 department stores, and the country’s largest media group.
... And they all operate from a biblical perspective.
Occasionally, Riady's organizations meet resistance from his Muslim
neighbors.
But the quality of his work is so high, the communities he enters usually want what he has to offer...
Like his hospitals, for example... which are better than any in the country.
And Riady uses the opportunity to not just bring physical healing to patients, but help them see they are made in God's
image.
Mr. Riady's story is a wonderful example of what can be done when someone determines he's going to use his position to advance the kingdom of God.
And... it shows how radically different a life can be that's been changed by the gospel.